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Though they don’t have Caitlin Clark, the Indiana Fever are on the brink of the WNBA Finals.

Behind the superstar efforts of Kelsey Mitchell and Aliyah Boston, the short-handed Fever shocked the league by forcing a decisive Game 5 against the Las Vegas Aces. The winner-take-all game is a dramatic conclusion to the WNBA semifinals, pitting the underdog Fever against the 2022 and 2023 WNBA champion Aces.

The Aces are anchored by the 2025 MVP, A’ja Wilson, who led her team on a franchise-record 16-game winning streak to end the season. Wilson averaged 23.4 points, 10.2 rebounds and 3.4 assists per game. In a Game 4 loss, Wilson put up 31 points and nine rebounds. She is joined by Chelsea Gray and Jackie Young, who combined for 30 points and 18 assists.

On the other side, the Fever might be without the superstar Clark and Sophie Cunningham, but that has not stopped them from pushing Las Vegas to a final game. Boston put up a spectacular effort in Game 4 with 24 points, 14 rebounds and 5 assists. The matchup between her and fellow-Gamecock Wilson has been fun to watch.

There’s sure to be fireworks on Tuesday night in Las Vegas, and one team is going to punch their ticket to the WNBA Finals. Will it be the Aces for the third time in four seasons, or will it be the Fever without their star?

The Sporting News has you covered with live updates below. Follow along for all the action.

STREAM: Watch Fever vs. Aces live with Fubo (free trial)

Fever vs. Aces score

WNBA PLAYOFF HQ: Live WNBA scores | Full WNBA schedule | Updated WNBA bracket

Fever vs. Aces live updates, highlights from 2025 WNBA semifinals Game 5

9:19 p.m.: A’Ja Wilson is on the court before Game 5.

Pregame rituals ✅

A’ja Wilson is locked in and ready for Game 5 action!

IND-LVA | 9:30pm/ET on ESPN2 | WNBA Playoffs | @google pic.twitter.com/UTjW2fbBHc

— WNBA (@WNBA) October 1, 2025

The 2025 WNBA MVP had 31 points and nine rebounds in the Game 4 loss. 

9:11 p.m.: Both teams have released their starting lineups for tonight, which remain unchanged from Game 4.

Game 5 🔜 pic.twitter.com/OwnuHCctLI

— Indiana Fever (@IndianaFever) October 1, 2025

𝐓𝐇𝐄 𝐅𝐈𝐕𝐄

1️⃣2️⃣ Gray
0️⃣ Young
1️⃣ Bell
3️⃣ Smith
2️⃣2️⃣ Wilson

Presented by @DriveToyota // #RaiseTheStakes pic.twitter.com/hVnTtzQ3k7

— Las Vegas Aces (@LVAces) October 1, 2025

Whoever wins tonight will be advancing to the WNBA finals. 

9:02 p.m: Aces fans have showed up for Game 5, hoping their team makes the WNBA finals for the third time in four seasons.

This Aces’ fan is decked out from head to toe! ♠️🃏

📺 Semi-Finals Game 5, 9:30pm/ET on ESPN2

WNBA Playoffs | @google pic.twitter.com/cWRoFql0PB

— WNBA (@WNBA) October 1, 2025

8:54 p.m.: Players have started taking the court for warmups, including the Fever’s dynamic duo of Kelsey Mitchell and Aliyah Boston.

Kelsey Mitchell & Aliyah Boston had big time performances in Game 4 🔥

Mitchell: 25 PTS | 3 REB | 4 AST
Boston: 24 PTS | 14 REB | 5 AST

The dynamic duo are hoping for an @IndianaFever victory against the Las Vegas Aces at 9:30pm/ET on ESPN2

WNBA Playoffs presented by @Google pic.twitter.com/P7rsj2rHpk

— WNBA (@WNBA) October 1, 2025

The duo combined for 49 points in the Game 4 win.

8:36 p.m.: The Aces have also arrived for tonight’s game. Dana Evans, who is part of a loaded Las Vegas backcourt, was captured on the Las Vegas Instagram.

heyyyy, Dana 💅 👋

Presented by @Ally // #RaiseTheStakes pic.twitter.com/WSFUZpptQE

— Las Vegas Aces (@LVAces) October 1, 2025

8:35 p.m.: The Fever have support on the road, including plenty of fans who made the trip to watch their team. 

Fever fans traveled all the way to Vegas for Game 5 🤩

If Indiana wins tonight, then they’ll punch their ticket to the Finals!

WNBA Playoffs | @google pic.twitter.com/RXqamthMH7

— WNBA (@WNBA) October 1, 2025

8:10 p.m.: Las Vegas wants to create a hostile environment for Game 5. All fans will have white rally towels.

The stage is set and dressed in white for Game 5 👀

WNBA Playoffs | @google pic.twitter.com/lwbXFIGMST

— WNBA (@WNBA) October 1, 2025

8:05 p.m.: Though the game is in Las Vegas, the Fever have some celebrity support. Tamisha Catchings, who played for Indiana from 2002 to 2016, is in the house cheering on her former team.

Tamika Catchings does not play about the @IndianaFever 👏

She pulled up to Vegas to support her squad!

IND-LVA | 9:30pm/ET | ESPN2 | WNBA Playoffs | @Google pic.twitter.com/mf2JZvJUp1

— WNBA (@WNBA) September 30, 2025

8:00 p.m.: The Fever have arrived before a do-or-die Game 5. 

Game 5 attire. pic.twitter.com/aZFlyPC3NA

— Indiana Fever (@IndianaFever) September 30, 2025

Indiana won in Las Vegas earlier in the series, beating the Aces 89-73 in Game 1. 

Is Caitlin Clark playing today?

Clark will not be suiting up in the Fever’s do-or-die matchup, as she was ruled out for the season with a groin injury. Clark averaged 16.5 points, 5.0 rebounds, and 8.8 assists this season.

I had hoped to share a better update, but I will not be returning to play this season. I spent hours in the gym every day with the singular goal of getting back out there, disappointed isn’t a big enough word to describe how I am feeling. I want to thank everyone who had my back… pic.twitter.com/paD5sEYG1q

— Caitlin Clark (@CaitlinClark22) September 5, 2025

Where to watch Fever vs. Aces tonight

Fever vs. Aces start time

• Date: Tuesday, September 30
• Time: 9:30 p.m. ET

Fever vs. Aces will start around 9:30 p.m. ET on Tuesday night Michelob ULTRA Arena in Las Vegas, Nev.

What channel is Fever vs. Aces on today?

• TV Channel: ESPN2
• Live Stream: ESPN+, Fubo

Fever vs. Aces Game 5 will be broadcast live on ESPN 2. The game will also be on the ESPN app, along with Fubo, which offers a free trial to new users.

WNBA Finals schedule 2025